THIS WEEKEND AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK

COURTESY OF STALLIONESEARCH.COM




This Weekend at Sam Houston Race Park


HOUSTON, TX—AUGUST 7, 2007—Live American Quarter Horse Meeting returns to Sam Houston Race Park on Friday, August 10 with five trials for the $60,000-added Dixie Stallion Stakes on the ten-race program. Hometown hero, Cory Morrow and rising stars the Eli Young Band will perform in the Verizon Wireless Concert Series following racing.
The Saturday night card will feature the $62,760 TQHA Sires’ Cup Derby. Diamond Tres Seis, a Tres Seis three-year-old trained by Heath Taylor and ridden by Gilbert Ortiz, was the fastest qualifier in trials run on July 28, completing the 400-yard trial in :19.852. The much anticipated performance of Dilana, who lived in Houston before her success in Rockstar Supernova, will take place after the tenth race.

Sam Houston Race Park also presents a Sunday afternoon racing card at 1:30 p.m. Admission to the northwest Houston racetrack is $4.00 for adults, $2.00 for senior citizens and children 12 and under are free.

Sam Houston Race Park Pony Riders are Unsung Heroes

Pony riders at Sam Houston Race Park receive little or no attention, but play a very important role on the racetrack. They are independent contractors and have to be very skilled riders and willing to work in all weather conditions including pouring rain and stifling heat.

Vicki Vaughn has been ponying for 15-years and has two horses, Pinky, a 4-year-old Paint and Homey, a 13-year-old retired Thoroughbred racehorse. Vaughn has to tend to the horses she ponies for as well as managing the needs of her horses. That involves equipping her horses with a bite guard to protect the neck and a hip guard as well. Pinky gets sunburned and she must apply sunscreen for the Sunday afternoon races to prevent the amiable Pinky from turning even pinker!

“They would have a problem if we were not here,” Vaughn sums up the role of the pony riders. “The Quarter Horses are on tilt and the jockeys need our help to get them to the gate.”

Racing secretary Eric Johnston reports that there are 20 individuals and over 30 pony horses, some Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses and Paints. He agrees with Vaughn’s assessment.

“They serve a very important role at the racetrack and ensure the safety of the riders and racehorses prior to each race.” said Johnston.

“With the babies (two-year-old racehorses), they are so pumped up and ready to go, it’s hard to handle by yourself,” adds jockey Jeff Jerman. “They help a lot, especially when we have to ride all the races in this heat.”

Must Be Royal Fastest Fastest Qualifier in $45,900 TQHA Claiming Futurity

Must Be Royal, a two-year-old filly owned by Pete A. Scarmardo and trained by Janet Van Bebber, was the fastest qualifier in trials on Friday, August 3 for the $45,900 TQHA Claiming Futurity. This is the first year the race has been offered by the Texas Quarter Horse Association. Alfonso Lujan rode the daughter of This Snow is Royal in the first trial of the evening, covering 350-yards in :18.075. Must Be Royal was claimed by trainer R.L. 'Rick' Robinson for new owner Dan W. Nicks.

The ten fastest qualifiers will return for the final on Saturday, August 18.

Race: TQHA CLAIMING FUTURITY (NOT A STAKES RACE)
Track: SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
Trials: AUGUST 3, 2007
Final: AUGUST 18, 2007
Purse: $20,000-ADDED
Age: 2-YEAR-OLDS CLAIMING PRICE $7,500
Distance: 350 YARDS

Horse Sex Sire-Dam, Dam Sire Time Owner Breeder Trainer Jockey

Must Be Royal f. This Snow Is Royal--Ps Must Be Magic, by Magic Dozen :18.025 Pete A. Scarmardo Pete A. Scarmardo (TX) Janet A. Van Bebber Alfonso Lujan

Blue Tease f. Jess Louisiana Blue--In All Ways A Tease, by Easy Jet :18.093 Omar Mascorro J'N L Quarter Horse Farms (LA) Eliseo Celestino Ruben Flores

El Aguacate c. Stoli--Fridays Valentine, by Coup de Kas (TB) :18.103 Legacy Partnership Hinojosa Farm (TX) Richardo Hinojosa Manuel Garcia

Kipty Mac g. Kenny Mac--Twotwenty Shock, by Shock Wave (TB) :18.150 F. Michael O'Hara Billy D. Finke (TX) Michael W. Franklin Danny Lavergne

Wicked Bottoms Up f. Terribly Wicked--Bottoms Up Gamble, by Raise The Gamble :18.213 Glen Riles Freddie M. Sumrow (TX) Al Ray Watson Jeff Jerman

Caliente Music f. Corona Caliente--Excessive Music, by Excessive Bull (TB) :18.332 Jesus J. Andrade, Jr. Hal J. Earnhardt III (NM) Janis D. Ortiz Arturo Puga

Im Jess Smashed f. Jess Mr Perry--Homemade Smash, by Easily Smashed :18.349 Teddy Abrams, Jr. Teddy Abrams, Jr. (LA) Ray Robbins Jose Vega

Runaway Promise f. Runaway Winner--Judies Counselor, by Dash For Cash :18.368 Jackie Sessions Jackie Sessions (TX) Janet A. Van Bebber Alfonso Lujan

Pretty Boys Sage g. Pretty Boy Perry--My Fair Filly, by Raise A Secret :18.388 Cobina Post Hitchin' Post Farms (TX) Guy Hopkins Arturo Puga

Serne Sis f. Streakin Sixes--Ronas Sis, by Ronas Ryon :18.442 Hinojosa Farm Hinojosa Farm & R. Rodriguez, Jr. Richardo Hinojosa Manuel Garcia

Trial Notes: Must Be Royal won the first of four trials by 2-3/4 lengths over Pretty Boys Sage to post the fastest qualifying time.